Great Falls meth user sentenced to five years in prison for illegal possession of numerous firearms

GREAT FALLS — A Great Falls man who admitted to using methamphetamine and possessing firearms after law enforcement seized numerous guns along with ammunition from his residence was sentenced today to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

Jeremiah Lewis Camphouse, 41, pleaded guilty in September 2021 to drug user in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. Chief Judge Morris also ordered the forfeiture of 48 firearms and 10,826 rounds of ammunition.

The government alleged in court documents that while investigating Camphouse in April 2020 for other crimes, law enforcement learned Camphouse was a heavy meth user and had numerous firearms and ammunition at his house. Officers obtained arrest and search warrants for Camphouse. Camphouse admitted to being a daily meth user and that he had “a little bit of dope” at his home. Camphouse also admitted to possessing and trading numerous firearms. During a search of Camphouse’s home, law enforcement seized dozens of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and various firearms components.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Great Falls Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative to reduce violent crime. Through PSN, federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement partners in Montana focus on violent crime driven by methamphetamine trafficking, armed robbers, firearms offenses and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.